Porsche cannister oil filter vs spin on filters (by adapter)

[masraum]

I've never changed the oil in my car. It's always been changed by others which is weird for me, I don't think I've ever paid someone to change my oil before this, ever.

I'm looking into changing the oil now. I know that they come with a cannister oil filter. I see that there are adapters to be able to use a spin on filter. I'd like to think that the adapter is for a really good sized filter with good options.

What are the pros/cons for the cannister style filter vs the spin-on? Why would you switch and/or why would you NOT switch?

[JackDidley]

I liked the stock canister filter on y Cayman. Easy to inspect it for metal and easy enough to change.

[sc_rufctr]

It's way too easy to make a mess with a "spin-on" filter and I prefer OEM.

(The first car I've owned with a canister style oil filter was a 1993 VW Golf)

[rfuerst911sc]

I have the IMS Solution from FSI on my Boxster and 996 so spin on filters . The Boxster has had it on since December 2015 and no issues . The 996 about 2 years and no issues .

[id10t]

Biggest issue with the canister - at least on the 356 - is finding a eeplacement filter that has a properly sized gasket with it

Then again my Rav4 uses a spin on but also needs a crush washer like gasket ....

[GH85Carrera]

I have changed the oil twice on my wife's Macan. The cartridge is easy to replace, and no mess. It comes with the new o-ring and it is a VW part. I also get a new plastic drain plug. Just taking the large panel oiff the bottom and getting it back on is any challenge, and it is really pretty easy.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by id10t

Biggest issue with the canister - at least on the 356 - is finding a eeplacement filter that has a properly sized gasket with it

Then again my Rav4 uses a spin on but also needs a crush washer like gasket ....

Probably not as big a deal on modern Porsches, I would think.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

It's way too easy to make a mess with a "spin-on" filter and I prefer OEM.

(The first car I've owned with a canister style oil filter was a 1993 VW Golf)

Interesting. I can see how the canister type wouldn't be messy, but as long as the filter is mounted with the opening at the top and doesn't require snaking down through the engine compartment, I wouldn't think either style would be messy.

[David]

I've changed the oil on my Cayman a bazzilion times and always used the stock cannister without issue. You can get a new plastic cannister with the filter for about the same price as just the filter.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by masraum

Interesting. I can see how the canister type wouldn't be messy, but as long as the filter is mounted with the opening at the top and doesn't require snaking down through the engine compartment, I wouldn't think either style would be messy.

The oil drains back down out of the canister. I remove the old filter, and put a paper towel under it right away. No mess at all on the Macan.

[The lid has a large nut shaped top to it. Like a 30 mm, but I have a socket that fits it and makes it very easy to remove.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

I have the IMS Solution from FSI on my Boxster and 996 so spin on filters . The Boxster has had it on since December 2015 and no issues . The 996 about 2 years and no issues .

I think that's the one where there's external oil lines going to the location of the IMS bearing. I've seen that. It sounds like a reasonably good idea, and I've been surprised to not hear about it more. It's cool to hear that there's someone here that has it.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

I have changed the oil twice on my wife's Macan. The cartridge is easy to replace, and no mess. It comes with the new o-ring and it is a VW part. I also get a new plastic drain plug. Just taking the large panel oiff the bottom and getting it back on is any challenge, and it is really pretty easy.

Yeah, the panels under the car are great for a bunch of reasons, but suck when you need to work on the car (unless there's a window to get to common items, like oil filter and drain which my wife's Outback has)

Originally Posted by David

I've changed the oil on my Cayman a bazzilion times and always used the stock cannister without issue. You can get a new plastic cannister with the filter for about the same price as just the filter.

Cool

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

The oil drains back down out of the canister. I remove the old filter, and put a paper towel under it right away. No mess at all on the Macan.

[The lid has a large nut shaped top to it. Like a 30 mm, but I have a socket that fits it and makes it very easy to remove.

Yeah, I saw a video online where the guy had one of those sockets. I remember similar sockets for regular cars being sold back in the day, and think that I've had one or two over the years.

I'm going to have to see about space under the car (barely any normally) and getting the car up high enough to do this activity.

[KNS]

If you've never changed the oil on your car before it one of the easiest ways to become a bit more familiar (in a mechanical sense) with one's car. Most cars these days have the cannister style filter which are usually in a pretty easy to reach location. I once had a four cylinder Honda and the spin-on filter was a pain in the arse to get to - tucked up way behind/under the intake manifold.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by masraum

Yeah, the panels under the car are great for a bunch of reasons, but suck when you need to work on the car (unless there's a window to get to common items, like oil filter and drain which my wife's Outback has)

Cool

Yeah, I saw a video online where the guy had one of those sockets. I remember similar sockets for regular cars being sold back in the day, and think that I've had one or two over the years.

I'm going to have to see about space under the car (barely any normally) and getting the car up high enough to do this activity.

It is easy with the car a couple of feet off the ground for an old fat man. I still have to lay on my back to get the numerous torx head screws out. And the few large plastic button clips come out easy with a trim removal tool.

When putting the cover back in place just use the easy to push in plastic clips to hold the tray mostly in place, and then put in the torx head screws.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by KNS

If you've never changed the oil on your car before it one of the easiest ways to become a bit more familiar (in a mechanical sense) with one's car. Most cars these days have the cannister style filter which are usually in a pretty easy to reach location. I once had a four cylinder Honda and the spin-on filter was a pain in the arse to get to - tucked up way behind/under the intake manifold.

This is the first car that I've ever owned where I've done so little of anything on the car. It's very weird for me to have done so little on a car. The car didn't come with a jack, and I haven't owned a jack (at least, not one that would work with this car) as long as I've owned it. I wonder if the jack from the wife's car would work.

I've been changing the oil in the wife's Outback. It's a regular spin on filter. It's really easy, the car doesn't have to be jacked up because it's got 9" of ground clearance. For 7 years, we lived in an apt with no good access to a garage or place to change the oil.

I've changed the oil in many, many vehicles over the years, some were really simple, some not so much. Based on the YT video that I watched, the boxster looks really simple once you get the car high enough to get under it. That's the real problem. I'm going to have to get a low profile jack. I had one but sold it 10 years ago when we downsized so it wouldn't have to go into storage. Looks like I'll be heading to Harbor Freight.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

It is easy with the car a couple of feet off the ground for an old fat man. I still have to lay on my back to get the numerous torx head screws out. And the few large plastic button clips come out easy with a trim removal tool.

When putting the cover back in place just use the easy to push in plastic clips to hold the tray mostly in place, and then put in the torx head screws.

It looks like the under tray in a 987 doesn't cover the filter and drain plug, so I won't have to worry about it. The only thing that I have to deal with is the fact that the car has less than 4" of ground clearance, so barely enough space to get a jack under it.

[GH85Carrera]

On the Macan, the oil filter is right on top, at the front of the engine. Super easy place to get to.

[aschen]

I assume its similar to my 718 Cayman. Straightforward. I can't see any reason to go with one of the adaptors or make a material change to the car for a tiny improvement perhaps in convivence.

Ive only had mine for 18 months and 1 oil change but I just ordered 3 of oil filters, gaskets, and crush washers from FCP. $50 or whatever for 3 sets Hengst brand I think, you know it will fit right and work well.

I really don't want to go rumeging around a parts store and trust cross reference books for oddish parts I want to be careful about.

Same with oil buy the porsche specifed mobile 1 grade from amazon. They probably have the right stuff at autozone but just not worth the search.

Main bennifit of canister is you can look for particles easier IMHO. 718 has a built in funnel thingie too you just put a piece of tubing on and is mess free. Not sure if you have or need that for a 987.


By a large margin, the most difficult part is figuring out how you want to jack up the car and doing it carefully.

Also you need a gaget to reset the service reminder. I use iCarsoft. SHame on you porsche for not puting this in PCM

[JackDidley]

Originally Posted by masraum

It looks like the under tray in a 987 doesn't cover the filter and drain plug, so I won't have to worry about it. The only thing that I have to deal with is the fact that the car has less than 4" of ground clearance, so barely enough space to get a jack under it.

Steve, on my 08 I would drive it up on 2x8s so I could get the jack under it. Then remove the filter and drain plug and lower the jack and let it drain for 1/2 hour. I would put in 8 1/2 quarts of oil. Run it, check it and top it off.

[David]

Originally Posted by masraum

I've changed the oil in many, many vehicles over the years, some were really simple, some not so much. Based on the YT video that I watched, the boxster looks really simple once you get the car high enough to get under it. That's the real problem. I'm going to have to get a low profile jack. I had one but sold it 10 years ago when we downsized so it wouldn't have to go into storage. Looks like I'll be heading to Harbor Freight.

I can’t get under my cayman with a low profile jack so I added a rennline jack pad at the back so I can jack it up from there. Driving on some 2x6’s works too.

You’ll also need a filter socket wrench to fit the canister if you don’t have one already.